Highway danger signal device



NOV. 18, 1941. D, J, PARRls 2,263,140

HIGHWAY DANGER SIGNAL DEVICE Filed April 1, 1940 25 d IIIII I' /5 2,/ 22 172y /3 mv l jan/af Far/23mm ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HIGHWAY DANGER SIGNAL DEVICE Doctor James Pan-is, Gaffney, S. C.

Application April 1, 1940, Serial No. 327,349

(Cl. o- 86) 2 Claims.

The invention relates to a treadle switch controlled traflic signaling system and more especially to highway danger signal devices.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a system or device of this character wherein either visible or audible signals may be had for regulating traffic, particularly at street intersections, side roads, bridges, school zones, curves, deadend streets and other places where safety against accidents must be had and required.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a system or device of this character wherein the signals are under the control of treadles, a pair being installed, and are operated by the weight of vehicles so that a signal will be `given and shut 01T at the proper interval for safety to the traflic using highways, roads or other traveled courses, the system or device being equally applicable for the control of pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a system or device of this character wherein the traic traveling in opposite or reverse directions to each other will effect the automatic working of signals so that the traflic can be assured of safety in the travel thereof, particularly where caution and safety is required and in this way avoiding congestion, especially at intersections.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a system or device of this character, which is extremely simple in its construction, susceptible of being installed in a ready and easy manner and with dispatch, being devoid of a number of complicated parts, thoroughly reliable and efiicient in operation, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With these and other objects in View, the invention consists in the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described in detail, illustrated in the accompanying drawing, which discloses the preferred embodiment of the invention and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic plan view fragmentarily disclosing an intersection of traflic Ways showing the system or device constructed in accordance with the invention installed.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional View taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of one of the treadle setups employed in the system or device.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 1 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 6 is a bottom plan view of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on the line I-l of Figure 5 looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the plane indicated by the line 8 8 of Figure 5 with the treadle up and the contacts I5 and I6 separated.

Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 8 but with the treadle down and the contacts I5 and I6 in engagement.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views in the drawing.

Referring to the drawing in detail, A designates generally a portion of a road, which is intersected by another road B, and at such intersection are erected in this instance visible, electrically operated signals C, each being of any selected or preferred detailed construction and are mounted in any suitable manner to be visible to traic traveling toward the road A from the road B in opposite directions along the latter. Of course, the signal C may be of audible type and in this instance there is but a pair arranged at the intersection visible only to the traic on the road B although additional signal equipment can be for the road A controlled and operated by the traffic on the road B.

The signals C are operated and controlled by trafiic on the road A, one being operated and controlled by the traflic flowing in one direction and the other signal for the traffic owing in the reverse direction.

Each signal C is adapted to be operated by a switch treadle I0 of substantially elongated formation disposed transversely of the road A at the required distance removed from the inter section of the road B therein. The treadle I0 is pivoted at II for vertical swinging movement in a hanger I2 integrally formed within a boxing or housing I3 which is countersunk in the road bed. This treadle at the under side thereof is equipped with an insulating block I4 carrying a switch contact I5 while the boxing or housing adjacent to this block I4 is equipped with a swingable switch contact I6. This switch contact I6 is insulated by the swingable member I'I for the contact I6. This member I 'I is pivoted at I8. The member II is acted upon by a coiled retractile spring I9 xed to the treadle I0 at the under side thereof so as to urge the contact I6 into engagement with the contact I5 and also to have the member I'I latch with the block I4 to hold the treadle I0 depressed. The treadle I0 is supported upon a compression spring 20, which normally maintains it elevated and the contacts I5 and I6 out of engagement with each other when the said treadle is in its normal elevated position.

The switch contacts I5 and I6 are included in an electric circuit 2| having the signals C arranged therein. When the contacts I5 and I6 engage with each other, the signals C will be rendered visible or illuminated and when the switch contacts are separated the signals C are shut off.

Approximately at the center of the intersection of the roads A and B are arranged treadles 22, each being common to one of the treadles I0, and such treadle 22 is vertically swingable on a pivot 23 Within a housing or box 24 embedded in the roads intersection bed. The treadle 22 is elevated by a compression spring 25 and when the said treadle is depressed, it operates a bell crank lever 26 pivoted at 21, One of the arms, that is, the arm 28 of the bell crank lever has flexible connection 29 with the swingable member I4 so that when the said treadle 22 has been lowered by the Weight of a vehicle thereon the member I4 will be caused to unlatch the treadle I0 previously depressed by the vehicle and concurrently therewith the switch including the contacts l5 and I6 will come open thus shut- I" ting oi the signal when the vehicle has reached a point well within the intersection of the roads A and B. In this manner safety will be assured at the intersection to avoid the entrance of vehicular traic to the crossing or intersection of such road B with the road A.

The treadle I0 is for rendering the signal C active for signaling purposes while the treadle 22 is to render the same inactive.

By reason of the disposition of the treadle Ill, the signal C will be operated well in advance of the vehicle entering the intersection of the roads A and B or such vehicle reaching a danger point of travel thereof.

The signals C are automatically controlled and the on-and-ol operation thereof is had by the working of the treadles Il) and 22, respectively, these being susceptible of becoming depressed by the Weight of vehicles traveling thereover.

What is claimed 1s:

1. A treadle switch, comprising a casing having an opening in its upper end, a treadle pivoted within the opening adjacent one end, spring means below the opposite end of the treadle for holding the same slightly above the casing, a contact member carried b'y the lower face of the treadle adjacent its free end, a swinging coml bined latch and contact carried by the casing and adapted to engage the first mentioned contact for completing a circuit and holding the treadle down in a plane with the upper end of the casing, and means for moving the swinging latch and contact out of engagement with the other contact.

2. A treadle, comprising a casing having an opening in its upper end, a treadle pivoted at one end within the opening, spring means below the opposite end oi' the treadle for holding the same slightly above the casing, a contact member carried by the lower face of the treadle adjacent its free endand spaced a slight distance from the treadle, a swinging combined latch and contact carried by the casing and normally inwardly spring held and adapted to pass beneath the contact carried by the treadle for completing a circuit and holding the treadle down in a plane with the upper end of the casing, and means for moving the swinging latch and contact out of engagement with the other contact.

DOCTOR J. PARRIS. 

